Maiden Gully faces police in Twenty20 cricket clash

They might be taking on a police team, but that doesn’t mean Maiden Gully’s cricketers will have to be on their best behaviour this weekend.

Maiden Gully Cricket Club and a Bendigo police side will clash in a Twenty20 match to benefit charity at Evolution Oval from noon on Sunday.

With a number of Maiden Gully players set to suit up for the men in blue, such as police officer Dave Becker, there’s sure to be plenty of friendly competition and banter.

“It’ll be a bit of fun,” said Becker, who is the police team captain. “It started off to be a practice match, there’s a heap of cops who play at Maiden Gully, but then we decided to get Blue Ribbon involved.

“(Maiden Gully president) Paul Martin and I were throwing some ideas around, we went to the senior sergeant and had no trouble getting numbers – we had about 18 coppers keen to play.

“From the get-go they were as keen as mustard.”

Maiden Gully hopes to get as many spectators as possible out to its home ground, asking for a gold coin donation for entry which will also buy a ticket to some of the raffle items donated by local businesses.

Some of the prizes include a framed Essendon Football Club poster, two bikes, a family season pass to Bendigo Gold matches next season, McDonald’s vouchers and service vouchers to Bendigo Cycles.

Maiden Gully Cricket Club will have a BBQ and refreshments available to purchase over the bar.

Becker called-on any businesses keen to donate to the Blue Ribbon Foundation fundraising match to contact him at Bendigo Police on 5448 1300.